841D.01/339a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
2759. We believe that the Irish Government’s offer of cooperation in tightening security measures should by all means be accepted and that our security people should enter into any desired discussions or arrangements for this purpose, perhaps even stationing a security officer in Dublin. Should such an officer be stationed in Dublin we should make it clear that this does not relieve Ireland of complete responsibility for any untoward events resulting from Axis espionage in Ireland but that it would merely be intended to provide a means of continuous consultation.
In the final drafting of the proposed note transmitted to you as Department’s No. 2623, April 4, we were aware of the Irish offer of improved cooperation in security measures. It was our thought that [Page 253] we should express our appreciation for this offer and state our desire to take advantage of it. We believe that at the same time we should make it clear that any measures short of getting rid of the Axis representatives would not be regarded as going far enough to satisfy our security requirements. On March 30 [29?] the Irish Minister called at the Department and inquired whether, in view of the Irish offer of cooperation on security matters, it might not be possible for the Secretary or the President to issue a statement to the effect that Ireland is now cooperating with us in all essential matters. He was told in reply that it was believed that so long as the Axis representatives remained in Ireland, the Secretary or the President would find it impossible to issue such a statement. In other words, it was believed that only the removal of Axis representatives, in addition to adequate cooperation on security, would satisfy this Government that the Irish Government is cooperating fully.
Our draft note transmitted in telegram 2623 was approved by both the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the President. In transmitting the draft to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for their approval, we recounted the conversation with the Irish Minister and stated that we are not informed whether or to what degree American security officials are satisfied with the measures now in force in Ireland. We added that we believed that the draft note, in addition to meeting certain points in the Irish reply which should not be left unanswered, might help to increase still further Irish cooperation on security measures. You will have noted Mr. Churchill’s statement on this point in his message to the President on March 19.
We are still disposed to send the draft message with the last paragraph changed to read as follows:
“Your reply, after reciting the various measures taken by the Irish Government to suppress Axis espionage, concludes: ‘Should American lives be lost, it will not be through any indifference or neglect of its duty on the part of this State.’ The American Government has already stated that it does not question the good faith of the Irish Government in its efforts to suppress Axis espionage. Nor is the American Government unmindful of the measures which the Irish Government has already adopted for the prevention of espionage or of the Irish Government’s willingness to adopt still further measures of cooperation—short of removing Axis representatives. All of these measures are appreciated. Unhappily, such measures short of removing Axis representatives in Ireland do not go far enough, since this leaves intact the permanent instrument and core of Axis espionage. The United States Government therefore hopes that further consideration of this matter will convince the Government of Ireland that its own interests as well as those of the United Nations require the removal of Axis representatives from Ireland at the earliest possible date.”
We should, however, be glad to consider any further views you wish to express on the advisability of sending this message. Also, we shall be glad to receive and consider the views of the British and of David Gray.
Please repeat the substance of this telegram and of your 279046 to David Gray.